Fiscal Note
No appropriation is required.
Title
Congratulating Klein's Floral and Greenhouses on their 100th anniversary.
Body
WHEREAS, Frederick Klein came to the United States from Germany in 1909, married Susan in 1913 and bought a small greenhouse business on E. Washington Avenue (then known as Sun Prairie Road); and
WHEREAS, the Kleins began selling fresh produce grown on the 13 acres they operated from on E. Washington Avenue; and
WHEREAS, in 1930 they started offering a delivery service using a 1929 Model T Ford truck; and
WHEREAS, in 1954, a fire destroyed half of the Kleins' greenhouses, and the second generation owners, Oscar and Joyce Klein, rebuilt and expanded their business by adding bedding plants and floral design services; and
WHEREAS, they employ 48 full-time, part-time and seasonal employees; and
WHEREAS, the majority of the bedding plants sold at Klein's are grown at their E. Washington Avenue location and their customers travel long distances because of the selection and quality, coming from places including Wisconsin Dells, Appleton, Janesville, Columbus, Beaver Dam, Portage and northern Illinois; and
WHEREAS, Klein's has been a generous community partner, donating a percentage of their sales to the Hope House in Madison, partnering with local schools for fundraisers and donating plants to Community Action Coalition, Troy Gardens, Willy Street Park and other local places where there is a need for plants; and
WHEREAS, Klein's is currently owned by Sue Klein, the third generation of the Klein family, making it a true family-owned business for its entire 100 years of operation;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Mayor and Common Council congratulate Klein's Floral and Greenhouses on their 100th anniversary.